Darren McAuley takes to sky in TV ad to survey Gus Bilirakis' policy 'damage'

“Darren McAuley takes to sky in TV ad to survey Gus Bilirakis' policy 'damage'” describes a Tampa-area congressional challenger using a flight-themed message in his first television ad. Darren McAuley, a Democrat and Air National Guard veteran, released a 45-second spot in which he speaks from the cockpit while traveling over Tampa Bay’s 12th Congressional District. The ad includes audio of air-traffic control clearing him for takeoff and will run on MS NOW and Meta platforms as part of a six-figure buy. McAuley, who previously served as Florida’s state Air Surgeon and identifies as an Air Force colonel and flight surgeon, criticizes incumbent Republican Gus Bilirakis for alleged effects including higher costs and utility rates and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. He also ties his claims to votes on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and contrasts them with his stated goal to “protect” those programs.